North East entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den newbie Sara Davies has started her new job as the youngest ever investor on the panel – and given fans of the show a peek behind the scenes.

The founder and owner of Crafter’s Companion was unveiled as the new Dragon in the Den on Tuesday, her appointment coming 13 years after she was invited to pitch to the panel.

Mrs Davies didn’t need investment from the programme’s panellists and has grown the Newton Aycliffe business into a crafting empire turning over £34m a year, making and selling hundreds of crafting products across the world, employing more than 190 staff in the UK, US and Europe.

Sara Davies (Image: PA)

Mrs Davies, 35, who was born in Coundon, County Durham, has also won 25 business awards over the past 13 successful years.

The businesswoman – who set her company in motion from her bedroom while still at university – is replacing Jenny Campbell, who announced her departure from the long-running show in February.

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Filming is now under way on the new series, which is due to broadcast on BBC2 later this summer, with Mrs Davies joining Dragons Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones, Tej Lalvani and Touker Suleyman.

And Mrs Davies, who lives in County Durham with her husband and two sons, has posted pictures on her Instagram account, giving a behind-the-scenes look at her first day.

When her role was announced earlier this week, Mrs Davies said: “I can’t wait to get started! I’m absolutely delighted to join the other Dragons for the new series of the show.

“I’ve always been very passionate about investing time in and sharing my expertise with other entrepreneurs and hopefully I’ll be able to help some of the contestants to really take their businesses to the next level.

“I’ve been a fan of the show since it started, I was even invited to pitch on the show 13 years ago so it feels like I’ve come a full circle.”